Ingredients

　　1/3 cup black peppercorns

　　Four 3/4- to 1-inch thick strip steaks

　　5 tablespoons olive oil

　　2 tablespoons, plus 1 teaspoon butter

　　1/4 cup minced shallots

　　1/4 cup Cognac or brandy

　　1/2 cup rich beef broth

　　4 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon

　　Salt and pepper

　　Crack the peppercorns by crushing them against a cutting board with the side of a heavy knife or the bottom of a pan. Press the peppercorns into both sides of the steaks. Heat the oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a heavy skillet. Cook the steaks to the desired doneness. Remove them from the pan and keep warm while you prepare the sauce. Add the shallots to the hot skillet and saute until translucent. For the next step, be very careful as the Cognac will create a large flame. Add the Cognac or brandy to the pan. Light a match and touch flame to liquid. Stepping back, shake the pan above the burner until the flame dies out; add the broth and cook over very high heat. Whisk in the remaining teaspoon of butter and the tarragon. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the sauce over the steaks.

　　The Lady & Sons, Too! by Paula Deen. © 2001 by Paula H. Deen. Published by Random House. All Rights Reserved.Paula H. Deen was born and raised in Albany, Georgia. She later moved to Savannah, where she and her two sons, Bobby and Jamie, started the Bag Lady catering company. The business took off and evolved into The Lady & Sons Restaurant, which is located in Savannah’s historic district and specializes in Southern cooking. Paula is the host of Food Network’s Paula’s Home Cooking and is a regular guest on QVC, where her cookbooks are one of the newtowrk’s biggest sellers.